Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest reaped the benefits of AI in the second quarter, with the financial institutions reporting improved efficiencies with the technology. 

At $3 trillion HSBC, for example, 20,000 engineers have reported 15% more efficiency in coding with the bank’s AI-driven tech tools, Chief Executive Georges Bahjat Elhedery said during the bank’s Q2 earnings call today. 

“We are modernizing the bank through AI, gen AI and automation. We are improving our technology productivity with coding assistance,” Elhedery said, noting that AI tools are available to all staff. 

Additionally, the London-based bank has deployed gen AI across five corporate and institutional banking markets to streamline credit analysis write-ups and is using AI to improve customer experience, he said. 

“The key message is: We have continued ramping up investments in these areas,” Elhedery said. 

AI deployment

NatWest also pointed to its AI use in its earnings call, stating that the London-based bank is streamlining processes for employees in Q2. 

The $940 billion NatWest is “accelerating the use of data and AI,” CEO John-Paul Thwaite at NatWest said during the bank’s Q2 earnings call on July 25. “This will enable faster onboarding, better protection against fraud and stronger customer engagement,” he added. 

The European institutions reflect the trend toward AI solutions. In fact, 75% of banks with assets over $100 billion are expected to integrate AI strategies by yearend, according to nCino’s AI Trends in Banking 2025 report, released July 1. 

During the quarter, Lloyds and Barclays leadership also shared how employees are using AI: 

• At $1.1 trillion Lloyds, more than 10,000 workers are using the bank’s generative AI knowledge management tool to aid in customer support; and 

• At $1.9 trillion Barclays, 50,000 employees will gain access to Microsoft Copilot this year. 

Q2 results

Courtesy/Bank Automation News